ARSENAL news is coming thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest gossip from the Emirates.

Shkodran Mustafi picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Germany

Arsenal news LIVE updates: All the latest from the Emirates

Thursday 12 October

Monaco chief reveals all on Thomas Lemar

16:45: Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev admits their is a "fair chance" Thomas Lemar could leave the club next summer.

He told Sky Sports: “I’m very happy he stayed with us. For us, we need a player like Thomas Lemar. He's very important to our team.

"Definitely next summer will be something to look at, although you know in football there are no guarantees.

“We had some players who were supposed to leave this summer but didn't leave because of X, Y, Z. I think it would be fair to say Thomas will have a fair chance to an exit next year.”

Wenger mocks Merson

14:54: Arsene Wenger continued his war of words with former Gunner Paul Merson during his press conference this morning.

The pair have endured a frosty relationship over the years with Merson constantly bemoaning Arsenal and Arsene Wenger on Sky Sports.

Reports suggest 49-year-old Merson could make a return to football with Welsh fourth-tier team Caerau but Wenger had no time for questions about lower league football when he was previewing his side’s trip to Watford on Saturday (5.30pm).

When asked to comment on the 49-year-old Sky Sports pundit making a return to the game Wenger snapped: "We speak about professional football here."

Concern over defence

13.14: Arsene Wenger is worried about his defence ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Watford on Saturday.

The Gunners lost German international Shkodran Mustafi over the international break and the centre back is set to miss the next six weeks.

Sead Kolasinac has also been ruled out with a hip problem.

Wenger is sweating on the fitness of Laurent Koscielny, who has missed the last two league games with an ankle injury, and says the Frenchman will be assessed tomorrow.

“Watford are a strong side, well balanced and a tough opposition for everybody,” Wenger said.

I have concerns about my defence because of the injuries, and I need to think about that.”

“I will decide what I have to do when Koscielny has his test tomorrow. If he has no pain on his Achilles then he will play.”

Manchester United fans excited about signing Ozil

11:33: Manchester United fans are getting excited at the possibility of signing Mesut Ozil on a free.

Ozil is out of contract at the end of the season and, despite lengthy negotiations, he has not agreed to extend his current deal.

The stalemate leaves Arsenal facing the possibility of their Ozil - and fellow star Alexis Sanchez - for nothing.

Ozil worked with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid and the pair remain close. In fact it was Mourinho who wrote the foreword to Ozil’s book which was released earlier this year.

It’s left United fans getting excited at the possibility of nabbing a player off their rivals for nothing.

They have taken to popular fans’ forum redcafe.net to express their delight at a potential move.

Jack Wilshere can make World Cup squad

11.06: Jack Wilshere has been backed by boss Arsene Wenger to force his way back into the England squad ahead of the World Cup in Russia next year.

England qualified for the tournament by topping their group with 1-0 wins against Slovenia and Lithuania over the weekend.

Wilshere has struggled for game-time at the Emirates this season making only three starts, but his manager believes he has certain qualities which would suit that national team.

Wenger said: “I wish Jack goes to the World Cup.

“Jack is certainly one of the players more the number ten than any other player.

“He can play in tight areas, open spaces and get out of tight spaces.”

GETTY

Jack Wilshere is being back to make the England World Cup squad

Conte to Arsenal claim

10:46: Antonio Conte is leaving Chelsea and is in talks over a shock move to Arsenal, according to the editor of The Gooner fanzine.

Kevin Whitcher has made the sensational claim on the onlinegooner blog this morning.

Whitcher has written a series of books on Arsenal and is a well-known source of Gunners content.

“One interesting piece of information I have heard – which won’t come as too much of a surprise to anyone – is that this this is definitely Antonio Conte’s last season at Chelsea,” Whitcher wrote.

“But what is less well known is that Arsenal sounded out the then Juventus manager in 2014, when Arsene Wenger’s last but one contract was winding down.

“A channel of communication was established with Conte’s people and the Italian has expressed an interest in remaining in London after the end of the season.”

Wenger confirms possible Ozil sale

10.00: Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that German star Mesut Ozil could be sold in January.

The playmaker is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of the season and Wenger could be about to cash in on the 28-year-old when the transfer window reopens.

The Arsenal boss revealed that there has been no progression in contract talks with the midfielder.

On the possibility of selling Ozil, Wenger said: "We have envisaged every solution, it is possible we might sell in January."

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Mesut Ozil could be sold in January

Mustafi blow for Wenger

09.25: Arsene Wenger has confirmed that defender Shkodran Mustafi will be ruled out for up to six weeks.

The 29-year-old picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Germany and will miss the next seven matches, including Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad when they face Manchester City on Sunday, November 5.

Mustafi limped off during Germany’s victory against Azerbaijan, and will not now return until the north London derby on Saturday, November 18.

Wenger was speaking at his pre-Watford press conference this morning where he also revealed that Sead Kolasinac will miss the game with a hip injury.

Laurent Koscielny will face a late fitness test tomorrow after a six-month lay-off, while Alexis Sanchez is also not due back from the international break until tomorrow.

Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck are fit to train with the first team again.

Arsenal team predicted to face Watford

Click to reveal the predicted Arsenal team to face Watford

Arsenal lead race to sign Martial

08.15: Arsenal are leading north London rivals Tottenham in the race to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, according to the bookies.

The Gunners were heavily linked with the Frenchman over the weekend and boss Arsene Wenger starts to plan potential targets incase star forward Alexis Sanchez, who is out of contract at the end of the season, departs.

Martial has only started four games so far this season but has impressed from the bench, recording five goals and six assists.